Carmelo Anthony is an all-star player, but he is not even a top 15 talent in this league!
He is not a great all around player and he is not a defensive threat.

There is no reasonable consideration to compel you to panic and break up our foundation to trade for him at this time.

For nearly a decade, we watched a Knicks teams that had terrible work ethic and chemistry. How soon we forget?!

Now, Walsh has developed the building blocks of a team that actually structurally makes sense, playing unselfish and ready to learn and improve.
Why break it up sending 3 core starters in Felton, Chandler and Gallo for a player we likely can sign outright in free agency???

Ray Felton is tough, an unselfish a leader, and also a courageous defender.
I can see no reason to trade Felton in any trade that also sends both a 24 year old Chandler (16 ppg and solid defense) and a 23 year Gallinari (16 PPG and dedicated to playing defense).

How many years must we gut our team mid season and kill team chemistry and miss the playoffs???

I trust that Gallo can develop into a real force by the time his body fills out (age 26) and it would be a true mistake to trade him now.
He should mature into a perfect compliment for the D'Antoni system. I do not believe you can easily find 6"10 guys who have his skill set.

The Knicks key needs are actually interior defense and durable and experienced options at backup point guard and center.

We need to realize that any assets used to get Carmelo would be assets we would otherwise use to get another star at a later time.

Felton is a big asset in his own right to trade away because he is a leader, has a warrior mentality and is selfless. He has logged career busting minutes and played through pain and injury without making excuses. It is likely that "8 sec. or less" will break down the body an older and slowing point guard like Billups, and we can expect to watch him in street clothes often injured trying to run this system.
Most importantly, in terms of a trade asset, Felton's contract is an asset because he is underpaid for his production and its limited contract commitment (A drastic departure from every major signing of the Isaiah Thomas era).

Considering the Knicks have a decent chance at signing Carmelo in free agency, I can see no logical reason to break up the positive chemistry of our young core in a panic move to secure Carmelo now. It makes a lot more sense to use pieces like Randolph and Chandler to trade for draft picks or other assets that help make a run at a more "well rounded" players who play tough defense through restricted free agency should we lose out on Carmelo as a free agent.

Carmelo is not the only all-star that will become available over the next few years. He is not that big a difference maker in terms of leadership and defense. The Knicks are doing a fine job developing young assets, lets not sell the house.

I say, Carmelo, if you want NY then sign in the Summer to play with Ray Felton as your point guard.
I trust that Walsh could continue his savvy momentum and attract from restricted free agency pool options while retaining a full house of assets to play with.

colorfl1 - you are indeed Jedi.

The 2010-2011 New York Knicks are a team. This description is used selectively to describe a precious thing. Team. Team is different from playing with trading cards in the garage, while your Moms threatens to trash your entire collection. Team is about assembling a fragile balance of people who cohere around one task. Team is NOT plugging in statistics from an individual and forgetting how ALL the other parts are affected.

For history buffs, the press also got it dreadfully wrong when the Knicks traded for Earl Monroe. The complaint was that the Knicks would need two basketballs. What the press overlooked was that Monroe's skill set was adaptable to the omnipresent leadership skills of Frazier. Monroe was not a point or shooting guard. He was an intelligent basketball player who adjusted his contribution on a nightly basis. On some nights Earl scored. On others he managed the floor. At 6'5 Monroe was tall enough to cameo at forward back in the day. That is a nuance missed by many people. It was a beautiful thing.

Fast forward to February 2011.

Since when does a playoff bound team need to make a "presentation" to lure a player who is under contract with another team? Is this an example of sanctioned tampering? Why is David Stern looking the other way while this charade plays itself behind closed doors and in the media? Speaking of the media, it is the non-stop barrage of redundant articles that feeds the so-called Carmelo frenzy to start with. It was enough with Lebron. This is ridiculous. Why? Because Carmelo, statistically, is barely an upgrade over Wilson Chandler. The advantage Chandler brings is on defense and the willingness to match up with everyone from Kobe to Paul Pierce. He can also go big and dunk in your face.

Carmelo does NOT fill a primary need the Knicks have for interior presence, rebounding and backcourt leadership. Toney Douglas is NOT playoff ready. Correction, he is not "stretch run ready." Carmelo Anthony is not a willing defender. Sure, go right ahead, gut our team mid season and kill team chemistry and miss the playoffs. Count how many fans are hailing Carmelo as Messiah The Sequel if the Knicks lose more games than they win down the stretch. Parading him on the court only increases the incentive for all opponents to prove Dolan wrong. Beating the Knicks becomes more than basketball. It is a preemptive strike against greed.

"Another league executive, one who has been around a while, said this the other day, "The Knicks thought they were going to be world-beaters in the old days because they put Bob McAdoo with Spencer Haywood."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2011/02/20/2011-02-20_to_trade_for_carmelo_anthony_knicks_may_have_to_pay_steepest_price_in_the_histor.html#ixzz1EVFH6goz

THIS JUST IN: According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Deron Williams plans to join Amar’e in 2012.

Sheesh.

How many years must we wipe out any loyalty to the NYK team with the sickening ritual of trade deadline rumors to entertain ourselves? How many hundreds of articles about the same player must be written before any employee is discouraged by the entire process? Think of your current boss threatening your position with the next best hire for your spot on a daily basis, and talking about it with your peers over lunch. Every day. How inspired would you be to perform?

Thou shalt not covet.

You guys can't really expect Carmelo Anthony not try to get his extension while getting to the team he wants to play for. All this "if Melo loves NY he will wait until free agency" is nuts because none of you would do that under his circumstances. You would probably say you would now, because you are a fan and you have no chance of going through this. This is a business and its his professional future that is threatened by a new CBA. He isn't a bad person for wanting this. And don't forget he is supposedly up for accepting the extension with the Lakers or Bulls, so its not like its Knicks or retire.

Now, Denver has been driven by greed through all this negotiations. One thing is to want the best for your franchise and another one is knowing you are in a precarious situation and you still pull up all tricks known to mankind in order to get everything you want from the other franchise.

NY shouldn't approve any deal that includes more than two starters, no matter what. More than that would be desperation and bad negotiating. Dolan and Isiah, if they are doing what has been reported, should be investigated and should be fined/punished someway. Isiah should be sent to a mental institution far away from NY.

Have you no soul?

colorfl1 wrote: Why break it up sending 3 core starters in Felton, Chandler and Gallo for a player we likely can sign outright in free agency???

Because you can't sign him outright in free agency.

He's NOT going to be a free agent this summer.

How much clearer does this need to be made for people?

Ray Felton is tough, an unselfish a leader, and also a courageous defender.

And he's been shooting way too much, not nearly well enough, and hasn't been executed his coach's signature play for a good and 1/2-2 months now.

I like Felton, but he hasn't been playing well and it's been reflected in the Knicks record for quite some time now.

How many years must we gut our team mid season and kill team chemistry and miss the playoffs???

Years?

Plural?

Which prior years are you referring to?

Knicks "gutted" last year's team and got better.

So did Miami.

Isn't that the point? To get better?

You don't like the trade as generally reported. Fine, you're entitled. You might even be right.

But why express your opposition in meaningless platitudes?

The Knicks key needs are actually interior defense and durable and experienced options at backup point guard and center.

And that center would be whom exactly and how are you getting him?

Restricted free agent Marc Gasol, of whom Memphis has made their intention clear they will keep?

The oft-injured, placing-his-best-in-a-contract-year, already-pledged-alliance-to-Dallas Tyson Chandler?

We need to realize that any assets used to get Carmelo would be assets we would otherwise use to get another star at a later time.

But wait, I thought you were against gutting the team?

Again, if your REAL thesis is you just don't like Anthony, then stick to that. Because it sounds like you really aren't against trading the Knicks young players, you just don't like who they might be traded for.

Felton is a big asset in his own right to trade away because he is a leader, has a warrior mentality and is selfless.

'Leadership' is the calling card of the guy he might be traded for.

It is likely that "8 sec. or less" will break down the body an older and slowing point guard like Billups, and we can expect to watch him in street clothes often injured trying to run this system.

Except for the FACT that Denver plays at a near identical pace (Knicks 98.6, Nuggets 98.1) as the Knicks and Billups has been healthy(ier) and outplaying Felton since December.

But let's not let facts get in the way of a good emotional argument.

Most importantly, in terms of a trade asset, Felton's contract is an asset because he is underpaid for his production and its limited contract commitment (A drastic departure from every major signing of the Isaiah Thomas era).

Incorrect and shortsighted.

Considering the Knicks have a decent chance at signing Carmelo in free agency, I can see no logical reason to break up the positive chemistry of our young core in a panic move to secure Carmelo now.

Again, they have NO chance to sign him as a free agent. How is this not fully understood at this stage?

Melo will extend in Denver or sign with NJ if the Knicks don't complete a trade.

misterearl wrote:"Knicks "gutted" last year's team and got better."

The Knicks got better because:

- Walsh upgraded the talent across several positions and they did not fall apart on the first west coast trip.

- Ray Felton hates to lose.

- Wilson Chandler made a consistent (and better) contribution on both ends

- Amar'e kept to his word that, "the Knicks are back" and is better than anyone expected

- Gallo is better at driving to the rack

- Landry Fields plays much better than "experts" wrote about him playing and is the hottest rookie in the GAAAAAMMMMMMEEEE!

None of your explanations are the point. They're all true but irrelevant.

The point is, "gutting" your team isn't negative by default.

It's - as you astutely point out - WHAT you do specifically and the results.

If the Knicks move 3 players, get back 2 and get better, then "gutting" is a good thing.

I'll reiterate my point.

Knicks may or may not get better with the transaction that may occur.

But describing it pejoratively as "gutting the team" is a meaningless platitude.

They gutted last year's team and got better for all the reasons you cite.

misterearl wrote:Knickoftime - it is more simple than what you state.

Lottery bound rosters deserve to be gutted

Playoff bound teams, composed of young players just finding their groove, should be kept together.

Knickoftime wrote:

Because you can't sign him outright in free agency.

Again, they have NO chance to sign him as a free agent. How is this not fully understood at this stage?

Melo will extend in Denver or sign with NJ if the Knicks don't complete a trade.

@ Knickoftime

I believe it is your premise that is faulty here. In the new CBA, all salaries will be cut down within ratios. capologists have already explained that the Knicks will have enough money to sign Carmelo outright.

Once you accept this, you too will determine that we should save our assets, and not offer more than Chandler, Curry, and a pick (and possibly an additional bench player)for Carmelo at this stage.

This is logical because we will likely get him in free agency, he has no interest in Denver and wants to live in New York. It has been reported that he has alienated himself in Denver this season with his attitude.

If he was a top 10 player that leads on defense as well as offense then I could rationalize such a steep price. But he is not that kind of player, just an incurably effective volume shooter. So I would hold on to assets, let their value increase over the next year or so for a later trade for a more balanced all-star.

I would rather trade Chandler for picks or other assets and attempt to sign Carmelo outright (like the Heat did), while retaining Gallo and Felton.

crzymdups wrote:Dolan ruined everything. Donnie is gone. The revitalization is over. Isiah will be back before the lockout is over.

Yo Cleo, Chill.

misterearl wrote:Knickoftime - it is more simple than what you state.

Lottery bound rosters deserve to be gutted

Playoff bound teams, composed of young players just finding their groove, should be kept together.

More simple?

How can you get any more simple than you do whatever it takes to get better.

If that means turning over 3 players for 2, you do it.

If it means turning over 1 player for 3, you do it.

If it means turning over 12 players and bringing in 12 different ones, you do it.

That's as simple a concept as there can possibly be.

You don't like Gallo/Chandler/Felton for Billups/Carmelo. That's cool. You might be right.

But the "gutting" concept is hallow and irrelevant.

Knicks should try to get better. Nothing more, nothing less. We can disagree on how to best accomplish that goal without the bogus rhetoric.

Again, they have NO chance to sign him as a free agent. How is this not fully understood at this stage?
Melo will extend in Denver or sign with NJ if the Knicks don't complete a trade.

@ Knickoftime
Ken Berger states we can sign Carmelo outright regardless of new CBA.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14697636/trade-buzz-swap-not-only-way-melo-may-end-up-with-knicks